PDA

View Full Version : The Testimony of Paul ... Saul of Tarsus


Willy
01-06-2010, 10:12 PM
Acts 22:20

20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
Acts 26:1-29

1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

3 Especially thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

[B]4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

7 Unto which [promise] our twelve tribes, instantly serving [God] day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against [them].

11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled [them] to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted [them] even unto strange cities.

12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? hard for thee to kick against the pricks. {pricks … [I]kentron … sting … “sting of death is sin” (1 Corinthians 15:56)}

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and [then] to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill [me].

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

23 That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.:bible:

a.baker
01-07-2010, 04:55 PM
His testimony is powerful!! :nod:
I think this next piece of scripture goes with it nicely.

(NIV Version) John 4:42
"We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
--------------
Most see the Bible as empty meaning until they search for themselves, not just listening to others talk about it. God is there and alive and so is His Son, people have to seek for themselves to be able to grasp and understand or it remains empty. Not try to find God in a church or through someone else.

Many know in their conscious that His word is truth spoken, but they fight it and probably don't even know why. When they choose to search and get to the bottom of His word for themselves which calls for effort and to let go of pride their eyes are opened.

Sadly many people also know Hes there but choose to put it off til tomorrow so they never really know who God is, he remains a stranger to them. Laziness supports the 'just believe' thinking which only causes blindness and trouble. Actions show if the belief is true or not.

Then there's those that once cracked open the Bible and prayed but stopped. The fruits gotten dry due to the lack of water of His word or rotten due to the lack of daily reflection.

Everyday we NEED to spend alone time with God in His word and prayer or we grow distant which also only leads to trouble and it doesn't have to take a long time for this to happen either. We are sheep walking in a forest with wolves lurking behind trees just waiting for a moment to pounce. We trust God to guide us but when we forget or go on our own the wolves approach. The war is active :nod:

Jessie
01-08-2010, 12:16 AM
the war sure is active.
and seems to be getting more intense as time goes on.

good things to remember!

Willy
01-08-2010, 03:38 PM
the war sure is active.
and seems to be getting more intense as time goes on.

good things to remember!

:nod:

It is always good to go back to those who knew first hand. Saul who became Paul was directly involved. When you read his testimony and pay attention to the way it reads, you quickly understand that it is not written as a story in the way man would write one. It has more thoughts in it than we are capable of writing. There is power and strength, but also composure and humility. There is a balance that is unique, ... at least in my mind. :news:

Also in Luke:

Luke 1:1-4

4 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
We also have the testimony of Peter:

2 Peter 1:15-18

15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
:nod:

a.baker
01-08-2010, 04:28 PM
:nod::nod::D

CoreIssue
01-09-2010, 12:22 AM
I agree with all said. :nod:

Jessie
01-09-2010, 02:26 AM
the war sure is active.
and seems to be getting more intense as time goes on.

good things to remember!

:nod:

It is always good to go back to those who knew first hand. Saul who became Paul was directly involved. When you read his testimony and pay attention to the way it reads, you quickly understand that it is not written as a story in the way man would write one. It has more thoughts in it than we are capable of writing. There is power and strength, but also composure and humility. There is a balance that is unique, ... at least in my mind. :news:

Also in Luke:

Luke 1:1-4

4 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
We also have the testimony of Peter:

2 Peter 1:15-18

15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
:nod:

:nod: